Pirlo: Juve have to learn the moments of the game

Juventus once again found a way to drop points to lower-table opposition this season, allowing hosts Benevento to draw level at halftime and then doing little of note themselves in a 1-1 draw.

Speaking after the game, coach Andrea Pirlo was concerned about the naivety his side displayed.

“We controlled the first half, had the chances to kill off the game, but still haven’t worked out how to read the various moments of the match.

“We had a corner and took it quickly on the stroke of half-time, but we should’ve controlled the situation and held out until the break. It’s not the first time we have conceded just before the break.

“At the end, we got a bit chaotic and lost our cool, we didn’t manage to turn the chances into goals.”

The Bianconeri once again felt the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo who did not travel for this game - was leaving him at home to rest worth it?

“He had a slight problem midweek and wanted to play in the Champions League anyway. After international duty, it was natural he’d need some rest. Ronaldo is an added value, but we must try to play our game even in his absence.

“It happens when you have a lot of players on international duty and also play the Champions League, we’re hardly the only club in this situation.

“Real Madrid were dependent on Ronaldo, he is a catalyst for goals and a focal point for moves, so it’s only to be expected he will be a central figure and many moves go through him.”

Unlocking massed ranks in defence is something Juventus have not shown a knack for yet, what did Pirlo have planned to do that?

“We are working on the development of the play. We have one more attacking winger, one who comes from deeper. At times it works, at others it doesn’t.

“Unfortunately, when games get chaotic and messy, we have to play clean, good football and take control of the match. Otherwise we struggle, as we did today and against Crotone.

“We’ve got to learn the moments of the game, when to kill it off and when to control the tempo.”

Youngster Dejan Kulusevski began the season in the starting lineup but since appears to have fallen out of favour with the coach?

“He is a young player, he can’t play every game. Let’s also not forget it’s not the same to play for Parma and Juventus. There’s a completely different level of responsibility.

“We bought him because we know what he can give, he wasn’t that sharp in recent games, but it’s a growth process.”